Rigging from Absolute Noodles

UPDATE:
Since the making of this video, it has been brought to my attention that the rigging system I set up is not advisable. The two blocks being set at the same elevation developed forces that loaded the stems incorrectly. It would have been better to set one of the blocks lower so that the higher block would have loaded its spar with forces that compressed the spar rather than cross loaded it. We go lucky with this one and didn't have any surprises, but don't count on luck 😅
In this video, Gary and I dismantle this absolute bush of a tree. This growth pattern is known as "decurrent" meaning that there are several upward growing limbs all competing with each other for sunlight. When a tree grows like this, the branches typically are long and spindly which means that is hard to find solid and stable rigging and tie in points. We used two different limbs together for rigging by putting a block on each and made a canopy anchor for my climbing rope on a third. With a little help from a GRCS we were abke to rig sizable pieces from the noodles where our blocks were tied.

[@zaccheus]

Since the making of this video, it has been brought to my attention that the rigging system I set up is not advisable. The two blocks being set at the same elevation developed forces that loaded the stems incorrectly. It would have been better to set one of the blocks lower so that the higher block would have loaded its spar with forces that compressed the spar rather than cross loaded it. We go lucky with this one and didn't have any surprises, but don't count on luck 😅

[@therevolutionisgrowing.4491]

I believe that rigging configuration is perfect for that tree. When you squeeze a codom together like that it would take a tremendous amount of force to break it. While I fully grasp the concept of loading a stem vertically, with decurrent trees that system is great. It also allows you to switch ends of the rigging line if it makes sense to swing some out the other direction. Add a third block on a third stem if it’s a weak wooded tree species and you could rig the anything out of that system.

[@austinsmith3749]

Nice work! I admire your attempt at saw use behavior modification. It’s fun to watch you work on it and critique yourself to get better. Look forward to the next one!

[@zaccheus]

Thanks man! I noticed when editing that I pretty much broke every rule that I said I was trying to follow. It's a work in progress I guess 😅🤷‍♂️

[@austinsmith3749]

@@zaccheus haha I wasn’t gunna say anything😂

[@zaccheus]

@@austinsmith3749 haha thank you for your kindness 😅

[@philosborn1840]

You have a very good ground person working for you 👍🏻 🇨🇦🇺🇸

[@zaccheus]

He's definitely got more experience in the field than I do. Oddly enough though, I'm a contract climber and I was working for him 😅

[@tanyalinden7474]

@@zaccheus im just a nobody aussie treeclimber and i reckon this is one of your best vids! Really loved the footage of Gary's ground action - more of him please (you are super cool to watch working a tree "thumbs up" but Gary has forgotten more than I'll ever know on the ground) - thankyou for sharing him with us :)

[@sempi8159]

Glad to see you are trying to make your saw safety better :)

[@williamstrawn551]

Great videos! I appreciate the real life circumstances - successful cuts/failed cuts. Those videos that are edited to show all the perfect cuts and drops are not reality. Thank you for the great content.

[@zaccheus]

No problem, I'm not perfect and I can't handle the pressure of pretending to be 😅

[@poweredbyadam]

Very educational videos. Thank you

[@zaccheus]

You're welcome, glad the content is helpful!

[@michaelwhiteoldtimer7648]

Yes I did enjoy the video thanks for showing us the tree work

[@waynegriswold8953]

can you send Gerry my way i would love a ground man with his skills!!!

[@Benssawmill]

I second that, good help is hard to find.

[@zaccheus]

Haha, I'll be sure to let him know!

[@waynegriswold8953]

@@zaccheus i live in arizona, so mild winters sunshine at least 300 days a year probably more might convince him to re locate! once it gets over 100degrees it all feels the same!!! HA!HA! HAPPY EASTER BUDDY, i hope you have a great day with people you like to be around! and maybe some candy!!!or chocolate if your into that kind of thing LOL

[@zaccheus]

@@waynegriswold8953 haha, he has talked about moving out west, you never know 🤷‍♂️ I have to admit I have quite the sweet tooth. Gotta be careful not to each too much 😅

[@garyduncan1025]

Wayne you can always make an offer. Also a climber too.

[@troyerthedestroyer]

Looks like fun! Just a suggestion but if you only have one ground guy it's usually faster to make more cuts in the tree so that he can be spending his time dragging and chipping rather than lowering and cutting.

[@zaccheus]

Yeah, I realized this when I was editing the video. It's all about balancing the work between the climber and the help available on the ground. We started out the day with another helper on the ground, but they left a couple hours into the day. Thanks for mentioning that though, it's a good thing for everyone to see.

[@troyerthedestroyer]

@@zaccheus Self rigging is usually pretty handy too when you are your short handed. I do a lot of natural crotch or I use the rigging rope wrench but both require using your saw one handed :D Arb trolley and mini skid also handy for small crew

[@zaccheus]

@@troyerthedestroyer For sure, I've done a little bit of self rigging, but becaise it requires one handed saw use I tend to stay away from it. I've never used the rigging rope wrench, but I can see how it would be useful for that kind of work. I used to have my own mini machine with a grapple, a 12" chipper and a ground cre of 3 working below me when I ran my own business. I primarily contract climb now and so I do my best to mold my climbing to whatever scenario is on the ground below me. I'm by no means perfect at it, but I'm always interested in learning how to be better and that's why I appreciate comments like yours on this video.

[@troyerthedestroyer]

@@zaccheus Contract climbing is what made me start lowering all my own shit :D One handing is definitely safer with a lighter saw and smaller bar than you run. I just try and be mindful of my work positioning so that if the saw does kick back weather with one hand or two it's not going to hit anywhere vital. If you are ever in Wa state there are lots of contract climbing opportunities here.

[@zaccheus]

@@troyerthedestroyer Haha, I gotcha. What you're saying about a smaller saw definitely makes sense. I hope to make a work trip out there someday.

[@toddjacks8288]

Awesome video brother

[@zaccheus]

Thanks Todd!

[@litholi9103]

Excellent video. These wide-span trees are always a nuisance. Always in a back yard. Always near a fence, building, patio. Great use of the GRCS. As an arborist/tree person, you have to maintain that level of professionalism and take the safer route. You may have been able to pop and drop those limbs leaning towards the fence but there would have been a higher degree of failure. When you do a great job, 3 or 4 people may hear about it. When you drop a limb on a fence, building, patio, 20 people will hear about it........

[@zaccheus]

Thank you so much for confirming my approach to things! I'm trying to get better at taking the safer route and your encouragement is helpful!

[@InDisTREETV]

Excellent job Stay safe stay healthy

[@zaccheus]

Thanks!

[@geekay4703]

Was it indeed quicker to grcs those down considering climbing each one to tip tie then coming back down to cut and repeat? I faced a similar tree and and had the decision and decided while I was up there I might as well negative rig limbs down...idk. Just an honest q no insinuation directed. Good job, looked like all went smooth.

[@zaccheus]

That's an excellent question. I do think it was faster in the end, but it did occupy more of the ground man's time. I think more ground help would have made it go faster yet. Sometimes its best to follow your experience too. If you're really quick at setting rigging points and flipping tops out, the method you suggested might be faster for you 🤷‍♂️

[@reubentrapp]

Nice job on the rigging. speaking of lowering risk... 1. In the rigging situations something I almost always do is get most of my body (as much as possible) above the cut. then if the piece does a funny twist, jump, bounce or drop then im not a target, and I can help push or control the piece better since im already higher. 2. Also I almost always do a humbolt style undercut, it helps keep the piece more stable if its gonna sit on the stem before you kick it off or something.

[@zaccheus]

Both good thoughts! I hadn't considered the value of a humbolt cut in that scenario. I think ANSI and stihl both recommend keeping the saw between the waist and shoulders when making a cut. I think I have been hit in the foot due to a combination of things. Being higher likely would have prevented it.

[@marshallteel462]

Always like your videos! How do like that rope w akimbo? I got the same rope w rrp

[@zaccheus]

Thanks Marshall! I love the xstatic/akimbo combination. It's been real smooth and reliable for me.

[@jiffypop247]

I always think those would be fun with two climbers. It would be so fast, one guy setting 'picks' the other cutting.

[@zaccheus]

Me too, I've just never had the opportunity to do it with another climber

[@tonyk9722]

Nice work by all.... 👍What is the rope you are using to rig with? Stay safe up there...🇨🇦🌲🇺🇸🌲

[@garyduncan1025]

That is Samson True Blue. When I got started out it was labeled for climb or rig rope. Its breaking strength is 7,300 pounds. Its a 12 strand. Since 2006, its never failed & broke. Being a solid braid, it can be used for natural crotch rigging. It will last longer using a false crotch & or X-rings.

[@WoodCutr1]

in jealous, that GRCS really seems like a cheap replacement for a crane in some cases, like this job, I would have had to make 5-10 times the cuts, and it would take allot longer how are you liking it? any deal breakers? I might be adding one to my list of things to buy soon

[@zaccheus]

Yeah man, it's the bomb. The only draw backs are that it takes a little more effort to set up and a little more training for the ground guy to use. Other than that, it only brings good things to the table. If you want to rig heavy, I would recommend getting the visor plate with it. Also the drill wasn't super necessary here, but it some in really handy for standing up 30ft oak limbs and such.

[@SR20FTW]

The GRCS is a game changer, and the best kept secret for those of us using one frequently :)

[@zaccheus]

@@SR20FTW Absolutely 😏

[@WoodCutr1]

@@zaccheus guess i add it to my list, after a chipper, vermeer, and kitting out my dads climbing gear

[@zaccheus]

@@WoodCutr1 I hear that. I wanted one for a long time before I could justify getting one. GRCS and 500i were the last things on my wish list for a long time.

[@gregrupar135]

Why did you stop dropping limbs on the yard side?

[@zaccheus]

There weren't any more leaning that way

[@gregrupar135]

@@zaccheus ok. Looked like you could have notched a couple and dropped them that way.

[@zaccheus]

@@gregrupar135 it may have been possible 🤷‍♂️ when something is on the line of possible or not, I tend to take the safer route and put a rope on it. I don't like risks 😅

[@arbolorian]

V cuts are sometimes better than notches when lifting specially when the lifting point is right above. Great job there.

[@zaccheus]

Thanks!

[@leonardvirtue5753]

Wow🤩nice 😊mate

[@zaccheus]

Thanks Leonard!

[@4.0gpa44]

Tophandle saws are meant for one handed use when needed.

[@zaccheus]

Yes, they're engineered and produced in Europe where they have different safety standards. ANSI standards require saw operators to keep both hands on the saw here in the states. Considering 35% of chainsaw injuries happen to the left hand and wrist, I think it's a good idea to keep both hands on the saw. No situation absolutely demands one handed use. There seems to always be another way.

[@martinbaumfuzzi7608]

In Germany where Stihl is from it is also required a two hand use. It is also not allowed to use the top handle saw on the ground despite what training you have. The top handle is only allowed in the tree.

[@zaccheus]

@@martinbaumfuzzi7608 Oh wow, that's very useful information, thank you. My knowledge about European safety standards is only second hand, so I really appreciate the correction. Either way, I think two handed saw use is a good habit, and so I hope to get better at it and set a good example for others.

[@4.0gpa44]

While ANSI guidelines are usually good and often represent best practice, it's important to realize that unlike with OSHA regulations, compliance with ANSI is in nearly every instance totally voluntary. ANSI is a private standards making organization, not a government agency.

[@zaccheus]

@@4.0gpa44 I did not know that, thank you for sharing. I assumed that they were a part of a government agency somehow and that their standards were enforceable. Some brief research suggests that OSHA does adopt ANSI standards and turn them into laws occasionally, but that's not a guarantee that ANSI standards are always law. Either way, OSHA does require a saw operator to follow the manufacturers instructions for operation. Operating instructions in my ms201t manual tell the operator to keep both hands on the saw.

[@reubentrapp]

13:00 now I just realized why Stihl made the fuel tank so darn small... probably for force ppl to turn the saw off after each cut. well it worked on me lol. I hate running out of more than starting the saw every min

[@zaccheus]

Shutting the saw off when not in use is advisable 😅🤷‍♂️ if you don't like pulling on a starter, they have these cool electric saws now where you just press a button 😏

[@tuberider1171]

hey - thanks for showing us the 3 safe chainsaw holding habits at 12:03 i.e. 2 hands, thumbs under handles and chainbreak on and/or switch off after cuts. I always start with the break on as well. Your advice sparked some interesting comments - and just goes to show how many bad habits we have to be mindful of as you then completely forgot to keep that right thumb on top Perhaps you should glue a thumb tack on that spot for a while .. that'll remind you .. less painful than a chainsaw cut 😁 keep the real life videos coming .. they're very informative and you're a natural presenter

[@zaccheus]

No problem! I'm starting to learn the value of building safe habits and how much it's not a well represented practice on youtube. As is plenty observable in the video, I still have a lot of work to do, but Comme to like your encourage me to keep trying. I don't k ow if I'll go with the thumb tack idea 😅 but I might try to put something on there to help me remember. Thanks for the idea!

[@tuberider1171]

@@zaccheus your welcome..

[@Kayne2388]

What foot ascender do you have on your gaffs?

[@TheKrisers]

I want to know the same thing

[@br-dj2ti]

The one I have is called from climbing technology it comes with a bracket I attach it to my gas and then I'm able to put the foot ascender on it and I can also take it off and put it on my boot if I need to it attaches to the harness for your boot

[@br-dj2ti]

Attached to my gaff

[@TheKrisers]

@@br-dj2ti do you have a link by chance

[@br-dj2ti]

@@TheKrisers just look up climbing technology foot ascender with gas attachment it should pop right up

[@nolanmiller6014]

You should make a video of all your gear and saws. And more in edited videos like show you setting your lines. But very very good content

[@zaccheus]

I'm glad to know that's of interest. I could probably put something like to together sometime. Thank you for the suggestion!

[@jthorpe454]

Was thinking the same

[@jthorpe454]

Was that a Bradford Pear?

[@br-dj2ti]

I think it's a silver Mabel

[@zaccheus]

I believe it was red maple. The silver maples around here tend to have fewer spars and often are a little more spread out. This canopy was tigher than most of silver maples I've been in. Thankfully it was not bradford pear. Those things are the worst. Ohio actually just banned further planting of bradford pear trees amd has labeled them an invasive species 😂

[@br-dj2ti]

@@zaccheus yeah we have a lot of bradford pears around where I'm at outside of Pittsburgh and they are terrible man people love to top them and then they are so brittle on top of that they're pretty trees when they flower but that's it

[@zaccheus]

@@br-dj2ti indeed, they're nice for two weeks a year but even for those two weeks they smell bad.

[@ericharris893]

Looks like a (black)soft maple to me. Maybe a silver maple, with the bark bars but I doubt it. Definitely not a big leaf maple or Norway), the bark would be more of a tan color instead of the smooth grey clean look. Not a sugar maple, because no shag bark on the base. So definitely a soft maple(Black). Could be red but the bark bars say black or possibly silver. I’d put money on it being a softy

[@AndrewMansvelt]

Did you drill out holes in your bar to lighten it?

[@zaccheus]

That was the goal indeed. I'm rather disappointed with the lack of available light bar options for the 201t.

[@SebKrause661]

Not sure what lengths you run, we have 12" light bars on our 201s here in Aus, lots of hardwood so larger bars aren't a great thing.

[@zaccheus]

@@SebKrause661 I have seen a few fellas that run 12" bars around here. I have a 16" on this one. Recently I've been working I a lot of soft maples and conifers. The occasion oak or honey locust is about as hard as it gets around here.

[@pjsites1985]

Lol. Right after you said the thumb wraps you left one out on the cut then both thumbs on the stub cut lol. The one handing is wayyyyyyy more of a bad habit than a thumb in my opinion though. And yes I one hand whenever I'm more comfortable with it and only attempt to wrap my thumb on rear handle saws whenever one handing isn't even a idea in my head. Just wanted to reassure you that I'm a "rule breaker".

[@zaccheus]

Haha, I know, broke every single rule I mentioned throughout the rest if the video 😅. It's a process. I'm trying to get better at things, but my bad habits have proven hard to break. I certainly hope to do better in videos in the future.

[@Sethhaun78]

It's to not lose them .....on any equipment..not just saws

[@zaccheus]

What are you referencing?

[@Sethhaun78]

@@zaccheus thumbs

[@zaccheus]

@@Sethhaun78 I gotcha, thanks for throwing that in here. I did see a picture of a fella recently who didn't have his thumbs wrapped and cut one off when a big saw bucked on him

[@Sethhaun78]

We all make mistakes I learn new everyday ..been cutting trees 28 years or more ..haven't climbed that long ..but you know the 👉

[@zaccheus]

For sure man, that's a humble attitude right there. There is always something new to learn

[@verteup]

I don't understand not free dropping 80% of that tree. It's just grass.

[@zaccheus]

The whole tree could have been free filled if cut into tiny pieces. Tiny pieces are typically harder to clean up. I believe a good climber will balance his or her effort with the effort if the ground crew. I'm not perfect at it, but I want to get better.

[@kristmadsen]

Get good before you run out of luck hahaha

[@zaccheus]

Thanks Krist, care to share about anything in particular that you're referencing?

[@marykateveggie]

The tree was an absolute noodle but those arms aren't 😘

[@zaccheus]

Lol, love you dear

[@samuelluria4744]

I won't watch this, because the premise makes no sense. Any 80% of this tree could be rigged off of any other remaining 20%. No "GRCS" necessary. Aside from the fact that 60% of the tree can be literally just dropped, flat, soft and gentle, without any rigging. This is a bad case of ...I don't even know what...🤷🏻‍♂️

[@zaccheus]

Ok